London plans

I finally got my thoughts together and have a preliminary London itinerary today. Subject to change, of course.

We fly from the states overnight from Sat. to Sunday, and are picked up by the shuttle at Heathrow at 2 p.m. local time. Puts us at the hotel 3ish, I'm thinking. Hopefully with enough time to take a bus tour just to get us familiar. If not, that'll have to be the next day.

Monday and Tuesday are switchable, it'll depend on when the Changing of the Guard is as it's only every other day this time of year. One of those days will be starting at the Tower of London, also the British Museum, perhaps St. Paul's Cathedral, and a visit to the London Harley dealer at Debbie's request.

The other of those days will have a visit to Westminster Abbey, the Changing of the Guards, a picnic lunch in Kensington Gardens, a visit to Kensington Palace, a visit to the Baden-Powell Museum which is free and nearby (at my request..Baden-Powell was the founder of Boy Scouting. Wish I could go out to Gilwell Park but given the time constraints that just isn't gonna happen...). Also perhaps a visit to the Victoria and Albert Museum and ending the day with a stop at Harrods Department Store.

On Wed. we take the Eurostar to Paris from St. Pancras Station. I found out today that our departure time is about 90 minutes later than originally planned, so we'll probably have a little bit of time to wrap up sightseeing. Close to St. Pancras is the British Library and also Kings Cross Station, which has Platform 9 3/4 for the Harry Potter fans (not my cuppa tea but willing to go if the sisters want to.)

Then on to Paris! That extra 90 minutes in London means 90 less minutes in Paris that afternoon, we don't arrive there now until 5:26 local time, that's the disadvantage to be sure, especially for Debbie & Judy who will only have Thursday and Friday there.

Comments and suggestions gracefully accepted.

On another note, I finally received my ScotteVest travel vest replacement from Magellans today. I had originally ordered the jacket, and in what I thought was the correct size but turns out they run a bit smaller (really, it's not an excuse for too many Christmas cookies!) Decided I would like the vest better and since I was returning, opted for the next size up to give me a bit more room. Haven't had much chance to try it out but I like the fit a whole lot better. I used up all my Christmas money from my father-in-law to get it but I think it'll be worth it to be more hands free, discreetly. As I play with it I'll let you know what I think.

Weather report: our expected high winds and snow really didn't come as planned today. But the cold weather did - it's 3 below right now without the wind chill....brrrr.....